Broken Individuals

Hyeon was killing everything. His height was halfway towards the clouds, but his monstrous size didn't slow him down. He had decimated everything behind him in a trail of destruction.

Looking down, he saw little ants attempting to scurry away from his crushing paws, but they weren't insects at all. They were screaming humans who were terrified of the incoming slaughter. Smoke from charred buildings powdered the blue sky and red blood saturated the dirt roads. He wanted more. They needed to feel the agony that blinded him.

*I am death.*

In the distance near the ocean, Hyeon saw an army of Vikings chanting and banging their drums to a war song. They, and Odin himself eventually, were coming for him. It's too bad these pests won't reach him in time since he wanted to squish them himself. His sea serpent brother, Jörmungandr, will send a tsunami of water soon to wipe them out.

He continued creating earthquakes with his growing size and murderous rampage.

The apocalyptic scene blurred out. Hyeon could no longer feel the intense hatred. He was back in his own body but was now within the forest next to the cave. The aurora's lime green streams shimmered above him, beautifully contrasting the starry night.

He walked slowly while gazing at the southern lights and stepped on a hard object. A little surprised, Hyeon lifted his foot to find a weirdly shaped knife pressed into the forest soil. The blade was curved into a hook which reminded him of ones featured in ancient Egyptian paintings.

While examining the knife, the aurora glowed brighter. Glancing up, the lights formed into a green wolf. It suddenly dived to greet his face with its carnivorous teeth...

...But Hyeon's sleep-encrusted eyes snapped open before it could reach him. His chest heaved, trying to expand the tightness in his lungs. The sensation was similar to his bullying siblings when they sat on him.

Usually, the memories from past night terrors faded by the time he woke up, but that was not the case this time. He remembered the unique knife, cries from dying people, the blood-scented air, and the crunching of structures under his paws.

*Paws?*

Whose paws were those? That nightmare was way too realistic. Although it was just a dream, it was strangely reminiscent.

After a few minutes of calming down, he finally noticed Nammi's butt next to his face.

"Ugh, what a wonderful view," he sleepily mumbled while sitting up in his bed.

Nammi's eyes were fixated at the corner of the room. Her tail was fluffed up like she saw something threatening.

There was nothing there.

He rubbed the little sensitive spot at the base of her tail. "What do you see?" he soothed in an obnoxious baby voice. Regardless of him providing her favorite pets, her bum didn't rise in response and she didn't look away from whatever it was. Maybe it was a bug.

The clock said 5:10 P.M., just in time to get redressed and deliver Master Fenrir's dinner. He was glad Haruma let him go early for his break since he was weakened from—

He squealed and fell back on the bed. This whole experience while working here has been unreal. Being told over and over again that he was more than human was already overwhelming, but even more frustrating to not have anything to show for it.

*But why couldn't I do more? What exactly is my animal power?*

Haruma did say he should ask. Fenrir's character was cold, yet passionately hot-blooded. Not that it was a bad thing.

*Wait, what? Get your head out of the gutter, ya nasty.*

Hopping back up to redress into his servant attire, he hurried along to the kitchen to deliver the wolf's dinner. He kept an eye out for the certain troublemakers from earlier, but thankfully, they were nowhere in sight.

Haruma discussed with him privately about not needing to knock on Master Fenrir's door any longer. Supposedly, he found it annoying.

Complying, Hyeon creaked open the ancient doors while being careful with the tray of fresh lamb chops, salad, and a slice of strawberry cake. When it was mealtime, Fenrir was always absent from the office/living room space. All he had to do was arrange the utensils, leave, and wait. Quick and painless.

This evening was not one of those times.

Hyeon paused, almost toppling over the tray in surprise. Fenrir was sitting on the sofa facing the large windows. This place reflected New Zealand's sunset and sunrise times. Since it was 5:45 now, the sun behind the dreary clouds outside has almost vanished, just like the living world.

The dining table was in the room's corner near the couch. Hesitantly walking to the four-chaired table, he spread out the tablecloth and placed the silverware accordingly. Fenrir was still peering out the window, not even bothering to acknowledge Hyeon. The tense air made him too self-conscious to ask the questions he had about his mysterious ability.

When he was almost finished with his chore, he thought, This is so awkward!

"Boy," Fenrir's coarse voice said.

Hyeon stopped while folding a fancy napkin. He hated being called that. It reminded him too much of his emotionally abusive asshole of an adopted father. 'Boy' was his preferred name to call Hyeon, particularly when he used his manipulation tactics.

"P-please call me Hyeon, Master," he stated. His heart skipped a beat when his tone came off as a command rather than a request.

"Hyeon," he repeated. "How is your body doing?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Are you feeling well after masturbating?"

*TOO BLUNT. TOO BLUNT.*

"Y-yeah, it's fine."

A heavy silence ensued.

"Sit next to me."

Placing the napkin on the table, he gently sat on the spot next to Fenrir. The cushion underneath made a little FWIP sound as air escaped from his weight. Hyeon closed his legs together and arms tight at his side to feel smaller.

"You're stiff," Fenrir observed.

*Who wouldn't be in this situation?!*

He looked at Fenrir. Like, actually looked without being scared or in an animal's heat. The wolf was wearing his usual outfit consisting of a top resembling Captain Jack Sparrow's white shirt, slim black pants, and shiny black Oxford shoes. It was an intriguing concoction of styles.

Hyeon didn't notice before, but he had cut his hair. Now at ear-length, one side was swooped back to expose the side of his ethereal face. The other half fell above his left eye; eyes that seemed curious rather than the usual anger or vexed emotions. Given that the weather was even-tempered and his honey-amber eyes weren't glowing, he must be in a decent mood.

"I mean, every time we meet, it ends up with me getting naked."

*WHY WOULD I SAY THAT?* If this was a manga, his little soul ghost would be fleeing from his body in horror.

"Did you hate it?"

"Hate what?"

"The way I took you."

Took me? Do you mean my virginity?

He could feel his cheeks heat up. "I-I-I didn't hate it, per se. I just never imagined my first time under the influence of, well, this." He gestured to the insignia on his wrist. "And with a legendary god of all things."

"So you already knew my name," Fenrir said as a statement, not a question. "I'd hardly call it legendary."

"No, really. Between you and me, your character was my favorite in the Thor: Ragnarok movie."

Fenrir's face was blank. "A what? My character?"

"A movie. It's like a live theater but it's in a square box."

"And they made a...movie about Ragnarok? How could they portray it when it hasn't happened?"

*Take a big breath, Hyeon. It seems he doesn't know anything about the world of Hollywood.*

"It's just fantasy. They hired people to play the roles. If you get a TV, we could watch it."

*Did I seriously just low-key invite him on a date?*

That conversation ended. They viewed the grey storm clouds zooming by from the strong wind. It was time to change topics.

"Master, I have a question."

"I assume it's about your recent discovery of your gift?"

"Er, yeah. It just sort of came out. I think I can do more, but it feels clogged in a way."

"Hmm. The only thing you can do is wait. Let it develop. But don't practice by yourself since you don't know your potential."

*I could've told myself that.*

Fenrir's elbow leaned on the armrest, followed by his head resting on his hand. "Before you go, I need some of your soul energy. You did request me not to summon you so rashly from now on."

Hyeon shivered at the prospect of getting down and dirty again. He needed a little more time to mentally prepare since he was sane this round. "Uh, maybe, but can we wait until after you eat?"

"I don't want the food provided for me. Besides, I only need a small touch. Did you desire more than that?" Master inquired.

"Then what's the point in me bringing you breakfast, lunch, and dinner if you don't want it? It's really wasteful, you know."

Fenrir's aura became darker. Thunder boomed in the distance.

His question had hit a nerve.

"It's not your job to ask such questions, so don't get too intrusive like the previous servant. You are here to give me what I need," the wolf said cold heartedly.

Fenrir took a deep breath. He was trying to keep himself under control. "I changed my mind. Just go. I'll get someone else to clean it up."

"But you said you needed my—"

"I. Said. Go."

A strike of lightning erupted from the castle's front garden, illuminating the room. The crack was deafening and made Hyeon flinch at the sound.

Without saying a word, Hyeon jumped up from the couch. He didn't know how his simple question could be so personal. And that guy didn't have to get so snippy.

He shut the door behind him and stomped away to his apartment, forgetting all about the bowing formalities when parting.

Tears made his sight hazy. He wiped them off with his sleeve. *You jerk. I was willing to go all the way if you had just waited.*

But he thought about Fenrir's troubled eyes. No one could see under the mask, but Hyeon recognized the fear hidden underneath.

He could tell because he was the same.

*I guess we are both broken, huh?*